My spy diary

Chapter 444 Visit (asking for monthly ticket)

"Deputy Director Zhang? What brings you here?"

"Pa" Zhang Yi stood up, put his legs together, and saluted respectfully.

"Hello, Commander Zheng."

"Okay, okay." Zheng Mingyuan returned the polite greeting, sat down with his legs crossed, and leaned back on the sofa.

"I am sorry for the inconvenience caused by your visit, Chief Zheng, and I hope you will forgive me."

"Deputy Director Zhang, I'm sorry for not welcoming you to my humble home. I'm sorry for not welcoming you." Zheng Mingyuan bowed hypocritically.

Ke Shufen, who was leaning behind him, scolded with a smile: "Yaoquan, you men are troublesome. Deputy Director Zhang is not an outsider, why bother pretending to be polite."

Zheng Mingyuan secretly cursed his wife for being greedy for money and having no sense of reserve at all. If he was not polite now, he would not be able to refuse Zhang Yi if he made any excessive requests later.

"Deputy Director Zhang, please take a seat."

"There is no place for me to sit in front of Chief Zheng."

"Hey, Zhang Yi, you are too polite. Come on, sit down and try some tea from Sister Ke's hometown."

Zhang Yi then sat down, but his butt only took up one-third of the space, making him look very cramped.

Seeing his humble and submissive look, Zheng Mingyuan was slightly surprised and couldn't help but look at him a few more times. When you are polite to someone, you must be asking for something.

"Have some tea." He extended his hand to invite him, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then looked at Zhang Yi's expression and asked tentatively:

"Boss Dai asked you to come?"

After saying this, without waiting for Zhang Yi to reply, he immediately added: "If you want to persuade me to go back to work in the bureau, please don't say a word. The spies in the Military Intelligence Bureau only know how to kill and burn people, and I don't have time to join in the fun."

Zhang Yixin said, you don't kill people or set fires, but you like to fan the flames, but you look calm on the surface:

"Mr. Zheng has misunderstood. This is a private visit, not official business."

"Oh." This surprised Zheng Mingyuan even more. He looked at Zhang Yi meaningfully, put down the teacup, and changed the subject:
"How is your work lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Commander Zheng." Zhang Yi said sincerely, "I have had some free time recently, so I read some of your works. I was very inspired, but there are some things I am not sure about. I came here today just to ask you for advice."

When Zheng Mingyuan heard someone was reading his book, his eyes lit up, he put down his crossed legs, sat up straight and moved forward:

"We spies need to improve our skills and actions, but we also need to pay more attention to theory. Otherwise, we won't be able to see things from a higher perspective. Although I wrote those books in my spare time, they complement my work. As long as you calm down and read them, you will definitely gain something."

When it comes to theoretical knowledge, Zheng Mingyuan is not bragging. In 25, after graduating from the Whampoa Military Academy, he went directly to Moscow Sun Yat-sen University to study political economy. After graduating and returning to China, he first served as a political instructor and then as an aide-de-camp to Chang, specializing in spy work. At this time, Boss Dai was still a drifter.

After working as a spy for several years, the Renaissance Society was founded in November 31. Zheng Mingyuan was elected as an officer and concurrently served as deputy director of the Renaissance Society's Secret Service Department.

In order to sideline him, Boss Dai took advantage of the tense situation in North China and made him concurrently the head of the North China District and sent him to North China.

After arriving in North China, Zheng Mingyuan personally went out in disguise to investigate the Japanese army and the traitor Zhang Jingyao, and finally ordered his men to kill Zhang at the Six Nations Hotel.

However, at this time, Boss Dai cut off the source of the trouble and sent his confidant Wang Tianlin to serve as the chief of the North China District, and transferred Zheng Mingyuan back to Nanjing.

At this time, Boss Dai had already secured the position of Director of the Secret Service Department, and Deputy Director Zheng Mingyuan had to stand aside.

In November of 33, a military mutiny broke out in Fujian. Local forces established a government and openly opposed Chang. Boss Dai sent Zheng Mingyuan to do intelligence work. The original plan was that as long as Zheng returned empty-handed, he could be overthrown for dereliction of duty.

Who would have thought that Zheng Mingyuan, through bribery or instigation, had actually obtained the internal communication codes of the 19th Route Army, anticipating the enemy and allowing Chang to easily quell the disturbance.

For a time, Zheng Mingyuan stole the limelight, his brilliance was approaching that of Dai Chunfeng, and he seemed to be on the verge of replacing him.

Boss Dai would naturally not sit idly by and wait for death. He racked his brains to come up with a plan. He took the initiative to propose to Chang that the Secret Service lacked theoretical and practical experience. In order to strengthen organizational leadership, it would be best to send people to Europe to investigate and learn the fascist ruling methods.

This moment hit the nail on the head of Chang's mind. The role of espionage work in the struggle between the enemy and us is becoming more and more important. He also has ideas in this regard, but Dai Chunfeng has to be in charge of the work of the Secret Service, so it is naturally inconvenient for him to go abroad, so this matter fell on Zheng Mingyuan again.

In 34, Zheng Mingyuan went to Europe for inspection and study in the name of a military inspection team, during which he also visited Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.

In 35, after he returned to China, he began to vigorously advocate fascism and became a fashionable figure for a while. He was favored by Chang and was soon promoted to Major General Director of the Second Department of the General Staff Headquarters, while still serving as Deputy Director of the Special Service Department.

Once people become famous, they like to publish books and biographies. Zheng Mingyuan is the same. He then wrote a series of books, including "Detailed Discussion of Spy Theory", "Military Intelligence", and "Detailed Explanation of Guerrilla Tactics".

Seeing Zheng Mingyuan in high spirits, Zhang Yi took out the book he had bought, opened the book "Military Intelligence", pointed to a page and asked:
"Commander Zheng, you said in your book that an important task facing Western counterintelligence agencies is to distinguish which diplomatic officials are real officials and which are spies. In practical terms, how should we do this?"

"What are you talking about?" Zheng Mingyuan usually likes to teach others and shows off his knowledge to others. Zhang Yi's action just touched his sore spot. Seeing that Zhang Yi really came to ask for advice, he immediately let down his guard and started talking freely.

So, he talked excitedly and Zhang Yi listened with great interest, nodding frequently. The questions he asked also went from simple to complex. Some questions often required Zheng Mingyuan to think for a long time before answering, which gave him a deeper understanding of some issues. Zheng Mingyuan immediately felt that he had met a worthy opponent and that they appreciated each other. Ke Shufen, who was standing aside, rolled her eyes and turned to go into the inner room.

"Listening to your words is worth ten years of reading. Thank you, Chief Zheng. I have benefited a lot today."

"No, no, we are just learning from each other. Are you leaving now?" Zheng Mingyuan waved his hand and said a few words modestly, still feeling a little unsatisfied.

"I am a fool and I have learned too much. Although Chief Zheng has answered my questions, I still need to think about some of them carefully. I will not disturb you today and will come to ask you for advice another day." Zhang Yi paused for a moment and said:
"Chief Zheng has such a high level of theoretical knowledge. It would be great if he could come to the bureau to give us a class. I would love to have him!"

"Forget it. Apart from murder and arson, few of those spies are interested in theoretical situations."

"That's right. Recently, the gunshots at Shangqing Temple have caused panic in the bureau. The two factions are attacking each other, and it's a mess."

Zheng Mingyuan had also heard about this, and subconsciously asked, "Are there any results from the investigation?"

"It is said that the Inspection Office is investigating the Red Party, and somehow the news got to the Central Bureau of Investigation."

"Deputy Director Zhang means that there is a traitor in the inspection office?"

Zhang Yi smiled meaningfully: "I didn't say that, you said it."

"Do you have any clues?"

"There is a person named Zhao Qi in the Inspection Office. He is said to be very suspicious. He is suspected to be an undercover agent sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation. My subordinates are investigating him." Zhang Yi told the truth.

"Although it is common to see that you are in me and I am in you, he, Mao Qiwu, cannot escape the blame." When mentioning Mao Qiwu, Zheng Mingyuan could not help but snort coldly, his eyes became sharp, and he asked again:

"Does Boss Dai know about this?"

"I don't know yet. Even if I confirm Zhao Qi's identity as a traitor, I can only hint at it. You also know the relationship between them. The situation is complicated, and it is not convenient for me to get involved in this muddy water." Zheng Mingyuan snorted, staring at Zhang Yi, thinking to himself without saying anything.

Zhang Yi smiled and said, "Then I'll take my leave."

As he said this, he stood up and saluted.

Zheng Mingyuan just nodded. At this moment, he already understood that these last few words were the purpose of Zhang Yi's visit today. The other party undoubtedly wanted to use him to deal with Mao Qiwu, and also gave him Mao Qiwu's handle. He couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

On the other hand, Mao Qiwu felt gloomy when he thought about the rejection he received in the morning.

He thought about it and called Shen Xishan, the director of the General Affairs Department. Although Mr. Zheng did not come to work in the bureau, he always gave gifts to his family during the holidays. Shen Xishan was the one who handled all these matters. It was said that he had a good relationship with Mrs. Zheng. With Shen Xishan's introduction, perhaps there was room for maneuver.

Shen Xishan came quickly. As soon as General Mao Qiwu told him the matter, he agreed. He carried the gifts and went to Zheng's house as if he was familiar with the place.

He was a familiar customer. As soon as he announced his name, the door of the Zheng family opened. Ke Shufen came to greet him personally and said with a smile, "Director Shen, you are here if you want to. Why do you bring so many things?"

Shen Xishan smiled and said, "The bureau has just uncovered a major smuggling case and confiscated a lot of Western goods. The bureau's agents have already started snatching them away. But Secretary Mao said that the best must be left for Director Zheng, so he asked me to bring the stuff here. This is only part of it. There is still some left, and Secretary Mao said he would deliver it personally."

"Mao Qiwu? Is he so kind?" Ke Shufen was skeptical, but when she heard there were gifts, she couldn't help asking:

"What are they?"

"Victrola, records, cigars, cosmetics, stockings, lots of stuff."

When she heard that they were all things she liked, Ke Shufen's eyes lit up immediately. After hesitating for a while, she said, "Okay, let him come tomorrow. No, send it over now."

She didn't come here to meet Mao Qiwu, but she was afraid that if she delayed, something might happen and all the good things would be snatched away by others.

This was exactly what Shen Xishan wanted, and he immediately agreed with a smile.

He walked out of the Zheng family's gate, turned a corner and got into another car. Mao Qiwu was waiting for him in the car.

"How to say?"

Shen Xishan said with a smile: "It's done! That greedy woman heard that there are gifts, and she can't wait to let you go. Zheng Mingyuan may be at home too, you can just chat with him and build a relationship with him."

He thought for a moment and then said, "By the way, Zheng Mingyuan likes to show off his knowledge the most. When you go to his house, it's best to bring a few books he wrote and compliment him. The effect will definitely be good."

This is exactly what Zhang Yi thought.

"Okay, okay, thanks bro, you still have an idea."

"Director Mao is still being polite to me. We are just like that."

"Yes, I'll treat you to a meal later."

"Okay, I'll go back first."

"Okay, okay." Mao Qiwu smiled sweetly, but as soon as Shen Xisan left, his face immediately turned gloomy.

He didn't expect that Shen Xishan would solve such a thorny problem effortlessly, and before leaving, he did not forget to show off his cleverness and offer him advice and suggestions.

Mao Qiwu has always regarded himself as a military expert like Boss Dai, and is good at fighting with wits. What he fears most is that others will be smarter than him.

Usually, Shen Xisan would show off his cleverness in front of Boss Dai, and Dai Chunfeng would always praise him. But when he tried to offer advice in front of Mao Qiwu, he touched a big taboo.

"You just know how to be clever, you're not honest at all."

Mao Qiwu secretly scolded him a few words, then forced a smile, took some other gifts, and knocked on the Zheng family's door.

This time, the door opened as soon as I knocked, and Ke Shufen was already waiting there.

Don't hit a smiling person. Looking at the gift, Ke Shufen finally managed to smile. But after looking behind him, her face turned serious again and she asked:
"Didn't they say there were phonographs and cigars? Where are the things?"

Mao Qiwu cursed Shen Xishan inwardly while saying, "There are too many things to take in one go. We'll have to send a car over next time."

After hearing this, Ke Shufen's expression lightened up a little, and she took the gift without hesitation, saying:
"I didn't expect Secretary Mao to still be thinking about my old Zheng. Is there something wrong?"

"Sister Ke, you have misunderstood Qi Wu. Commander Zheng has a high reputation in the Military Control Commission. If I were not afraid of disturbing his work, I would have come to visit him a long time ago."

Ke Shufen did not comment.

Seeing that she did not accept the challenge, Mao Qiwu immediately said: "Sister Ke, you are also a revolutionary hero. I often hear people talk about your heroic act of conspiring with Chief Zheng to incite Li Mingrui to rebel. You are really as good as a man."

The first time is strange, the second time is familiar, and the same words are too corny to hear too many times. Ke Shufen finally showed some modesty and waved her hand lightly: "That's all Yaoquan's credit. I'm just a woman, how can I understand these things."

Mao Qiwu didn't know what went wrong. Seeing Ke Shufen's indifferent expression, he could only smile awkwardly and followed her into the living room.

Ke Shufen instructed the maid to pour tea and water, and she went into the inner room carrying the gifts.

After opening the gifts, she found that they were just some stockings and cosmetics. With Zhang Yi's "precious example", although these things were Western goods, they were not surprising in Ke Shufen's eyes.

She curled her lips, turned around and came out, her tone a little colder: "Director Mao, is there anything you need today?"

"I wonder if Commander Zheng is home. I'm a little confused."

"Yaoquan has gone to the Military Affairs Department. As a woman, I can't keep you here. Secretary Mao, please come back next time."

After hearing this, even though Mao Qiwu was so angry that his teeth were itching, he had to leave in dismay.

On the other side, after Zhao Qi had his wounds treated in the hospital, he took a rickshaw back to the inspection room dormitory.

He had just gotten out of the car and was about to walk towards the door when a black car drove over quickly, braked suddenly, and stopped in front of him.

Zhao Qi was stunned. Before he could react, three men in plain clothes jumped out of the car, one in front and one behind, and surrounded him.

"Who are you?" Zhao Qi looked at them with confusion, and then looked around vigilantly.

The leading man didn't say anything, just waved his hand. The other two men rushed over, twisted his shoulders, and stuffed him into the car.

(End of this chapter)